Comanche-co., during the 42 years or more of its active history, has passed through about all the experiences peculiar to most of the counties of the state - droughts, county seat, herd law, court house bond and railroad bond elections, claim jumpers, contests, political "scraps," and other means of enlivening things in a new country. Every old timer who still survives can talk by the hour about these subjects, and they will continue to relate to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren their experiences when the county was new. Pioneer days in any new country are usually the days which "try men's souls," and Comanche-co. has been no exception to the rule. The younger people of today know very little of the hardships which their parents and grandparents had to endure during the pioneer days. They are almost strangers to the real condition with which the pioneers had to contend - the lack of comforts and conveniences, the "hard times," the meager school advantages and many other deprivations which are practically unknown today. Hence, it is well that something be written occasionally which will portray, to some extent at least, the pioneer days as compared with the present.It is but natural that, among the people of any county, where there have been numerous contests and elections, such as have been mentioned, a few "sore spots" would be left, but in that respect, Comanche-co. has fared better than have many other counties, for, while we had our hotly contested elections, and while there was division of opinion and of interests on various subjects, very little "bad blood" was caused and the people of the entire county soon forgot their election fights and settled down to helping in the general improvement of the county, agriculturally materially, educationally and socially.
While the county seat election back in 1885 in this county was quite warmly contested, the result was taken as the final expression of the will of a majority of the people of the county, and what little bitterness may have previously existed soon passed away. And about the same is true in regard to the railroad bond elections which were held. The herd law question, which was quite an issue for several years during the 80s, caused quite a division among the people of the county, and, as a result, a separate ticket, known as the Herd Law Ticket, was brought out during two or three political campaigns. Every old timer can recall many stirring scenes occasioned by a difference of opinion on the subject. At that time, the livestock industry predominated in the county, and people took sides on the herd law question, principally in accordance with their personal interests in the matter. But even that question ceased to be a contested one twenty five years or more ago.
Today, the main questions upon which people differ are public road improvements, new court house propositions and a few minor questions. It is not probable that another county-wide issue will be again submitted for many years unless it be some feature of public road improvement and management. It really looks as though our people are settling down to that quiet, peaceful existence which usually comes to a county during the more mature years of its history. And it is well that it is so.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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